In the coming years people are going to hear more and more about “charter schools”. Some people will say one thing about them, other people may say the exact opposite. It is important that we develop a common language around the concept.

“The term “charter” really refers to the decision by states to turn public education into a two-sector system. One is a traditional school district, centrally managed. The other, charter schools, are independent, not owned by a central school board. Both are public, but they’re organized in radically different ways.

People have to understand, chartering laws don’t create schools. It is enabling legislation that sets up a process for people to create schools. The charter sector was supposed to encourage innovation — pedagogical laboratories that would push new ways to teach, even if it was disruptive.”

Read more and see interviews from 3 charter school experts here. (via: NPR)